Pamela Massey

Pamela France Massey, 66, of Gastonia, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Caromont Regional Medical Center. She was born in Dandridge, TN, on December 15, 1948 to the late Richard France and Marjorie Hall McDonald.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Larry France.
She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Malcolm "Mick" Massey; her son, Chris Massey and wife Mandy of Gastonia; her three granddaughters, Ashton, Ella Kate, and Harper; her brother, David France and wife Ruth of Dandridge, TN; her sister, Mary Hayes and husband Robert of Dallas; her sister-in-law Kim France; numerous nieces and nephews.

For 37 years Pam was a member of Firestone Wesleyan Church where she belonged to Wesleyan Women and the Faith Partners Sunday school class. She travelled to Russia, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic on mission trips in order to serve others. Pam was on the Gastonia committee for the distribution of the Jesus Film and served on the Executive Committee of the Will Graham Gastonia crusade. She was Director of Corporate and External Affairs for Bellsouth when she retired after 32 years of service. With Gaston Chamber of Commerce, Pam was Chairman of First Business EXPO held at Gaston College under Executive Director, Tim Helms; Chairman for three years for Governmental Affairs Council. In cooperation with Gaston Schools and the Gaston Chamber, she chaired the committee that utilized volunteers to wire every school in Gaston to the Internet. Arlington Elementary named their computer lab: The Pam Massey Technology Lab. She was a board member for Belmont, Bessemer City and Cherryville Chambers; BACA Board - Belmont Abbey College; Board member - Gaston United Way for 7 years and was Events Chair, Volunteer Chair and in 1999 was pacesetter Chair and through the cooperation of the Pacesetter Companies, she raised 1/3 of the total budget for 1999-2000. She was on the United Arts Council Board where she chaired the Small Business Campaign that raised $10,000 in two days through a telethon. She chaired the United Arts Council Campaign in 97-98 and for the first time in numerous years, not only met the goal but also exceeded it by raising over $130,000. On the East Gastonia Rotary Board, she was the International Chair and raised $14,000 which provided medical supplies to Vladimir Russia and worked with doctors at Gaston Memorial Hospital who not only delivered the supplies but also trained doctors in Russia in hip and knee replacements. Pam also chaired the Special Needs Committee for Habitat and BellSouth Volunteers helped purchase beds for the children and other household items for the Rotary Habitat Family. On the Schiele Museum Board she assisted in the design and sponsorship for their first website and was Chair of the Marketing and Development committee which exceeded the 1999-2000 goal by $4000. She co-chaired the Capital Campaign as a member of the Crisis Assistance Ministry Board which enabled them to purchase their present building and also was president of Crisis Assistance for year 2000-2001. Pam was a member of Gaston County Women's Commission Board. She was Vice-Chair of the Gaston Together Board. As Chair of the Special Needs Committee of the Operation Playground Board, she volunteered along with BellSouth Pioneers during the building of the playground. As a member of the Vision Council, she utilized the BellSouth Volunteers and formed the first committee, along with Gaston Schools, to screen over 4,000 students during the 1999-2000 year. This group identifies students in need of eye exams, glasses, etc..
She was on the March of Dimes Steering Committee for Gaston County and was Campaign Chair for one year.
Pam received the following awards and honors: Community Service Award, nominated by the Gaston Chamber and presented by the Gastonia Jaycees; Business Person of the Year, nominated by the Gaston Chamber and presented by the Gastonia Jaycees; Business Woman of the Year, nominated by the Cherryville Chamber and presented by the Gaston Women's Commission; Gastonia East Rotary's first ever Four Avenues of Service recognizing Pam's participation in various organizations in Gaston County; United Arts Council Encore Award for participation and support of the Arts of Gaston County. Pam was a great wife, mother and grandmother. She was loved and will be missed by all.

Pam's family will receive friends Tuesday, April 21, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 pm at Firestone Wesleyan Church and other times at the home of Chris and Mandy Massey, 3808 Edgewater Road, Gastonia.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Roger Parsons and the Rev. Danny Janes officiating.

Interment will follow at Gaston Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are Greg Hayes, Chad Owens, Marc Hovis, Kevin Ford, Brad Massey and Dusty France.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Firestone Wesleyan Church, 1700 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28054